In the context of the latest terrorist brutality of Pakistan-sponsored militants upon the symbol of Indian democracy, Indian Parliament House on December 13, 2001, Kashmir News Network (KNN) wishes to urgently draw the attention of the Secretary General of the United Nations to the following:

1. In accordance with the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, which clearly calls for all member states to "take steps to prevent and counteract the financing of terrorists, whether direct or indirect, though groups claiming to have charitable, social or cultural goals", Pakistan's military dictatorship stands implicated for what it calls "moral and diplomatic support" to terrorists who have carried out the most heinous human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir for the last 12 years and caused intense bloodshed and suffering to the people of India.

2. In accordance with the UN Security Council Anti-terrorism resolution No. 1373 (September 28, 2001), which clearly calls for all States to "prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism", "prohibit their nationals or persons or entities in their territories from making funds, financial assets, economic resources, financial or other related services available to persons who commit terrorist acts"; "deny safe haven to those who finance, plan, support, commit terrorist acts and provide safe havens as well", Pakistan's sinister hosting, arming and training of Islamic jihadis against India should be immediately condemned by the United Nations Secretariat.

3. In light of repeated UN declarations that "acts, methods, and practices of terrorism are contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations and that knowingly financing, planning and inciting terrorist acts are also contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations", and Pakistan's infamous reputation as the headquarters of 'Terrorist Internationale' and the "Hub of global terrorism", the Secretariat should bring to the instant notice of the Security Council the inconsistent position of Pakistan vis-à-vis the principles of upholding peace and human rights and help disseminate the information necessary for a censure motion in the General Assembly against its illegal activities.

The future of South Asian peace, people's rights and freedoms is contingent upon the collective will of the international community prevailing upon terrorist sponsors and the Secretary General is requested to make haste and offer his exalted office's services in the cause of India's cry to be relieved of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan's malignant terrorist activities. The United Nations has an obligation to uphold these basic freedoms and rights; and to impose heavy penalties on nations that deny these rights; as it has rightly done in Yugoslavia, Iraq and now Afghanistan. It is time that the United Nations shows its seriousness about combating the scourge of terrorism, by asking Pakistan to stop allowing its land to be used for setting up bases for terrorism. Stiff sanctions on Pakistan should be imposed if it continues to harbor terrorists and terrorist camps within its borders.

Kashmir News Network appeals to Secretary General's conscience to make similar efforts for helping India get rid of cross-border terrorism in Kashmir and other parts of India and to bring back the smiles on the faces of the hapless Indian children who are victims of the Islamic jehad that is being exported by Pakistan.